
Roanoke City Public Schools
April 24, 2025
On April 24, 2025, Malora Horn, Roanoke City Schools McKinney-Vento Program Coordinator, in partnership with the Roanoke Bar Association will host the 4th annual Shine & Dine event, where high school seniors experiencing homelessness will be honored. Each year, the space is provided by Greene Memorial United Methodist Church and the Roanoke Bar Association (RBA) donates all food and decorations. The RBA consists of approximately 100 attorneys who give their time and money to local nonprofits. The members decorate the space and serve meals to seniors and their guests.
This event celebrates seniors not only for graduating, but also for overcoming the additional challenges they have faced due unstable housing. Some of these seniors are unaccompanied youth who face additional barriers because of a lack of family support. In previous years, the McKinney-Vento program was able to use ARP-HCY funds to provide an iPad and case to each senior being honored at the event. The celebration has included guest speakers such as: Dr. Patricia Popp, Virginia’s state coordinator for the education of homeless children and youth; a graduate previously served by Roanoke’s McKinney-Vento program; and an elementary school principal and a teacher who both experienced homelessness when they were in school.
News Source: RCPS Senior Shine & Dine Dinner 2023 | Roanoke Bar Association